There are many things that are unique to the United States. Unfortunately, one of them is the number of our children who are injured and killed when they find unsecured, loaded guns and fire them. These shootings are #NotAccidents. They are the direct result of an adult’s choice not to store their gun responsibly. In the first week of July, there were fourteen shootings involving kids with access to negligently stored firearms. Seven of the kids died. The youngest was only 3-years-old.

There has been an uptick in incidents this year compared to 2016. Although the number of fatalities remains close, the number of incidents and number of injuries have increased significantly.

So far this year – January 1 to present —

Total incidents: 189*
Injuries: 125
Fatalities: 67

*Includes incidents where more than one child were injured or killed in single shooting incident.

The youngest shooter was a Nashville 1-year-old

106 of the shooters were 13 or younger

10 children shot a cousin or relative

1 child, a 2-year-old toddler, shot and injured his mother

28 children shot a sibling. 10 of those siblings died.

120 shootings occurred at the shooter’s home

12 shootings occurred at a friend’s home

14 shootings occurred in a vehicle

This summer in America – June 1 to present —

Total incidents: 48*
Injuries: 29
Fatalities: 21

*Includes incidents where more than one child were injured or killed in single shooting incident.

Nationally, there has been an uptick incidents this year compared to 2016. Although the number of fatalities remains close, the number of incidents and number of injuries have increased significantly.